NameCensus.

UK surname

Privett

Derived from a place name meaning "the priest's land," or from the Old English for "private land."

In the 1881 census there were 457 people recorded with the Privett surname, ranking it #7,240 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 541, ranked #9,407, down from #7,240 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Kingston-on-Thames and Cheltenham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Fareham, Bolsover and East Hampshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Privett is 707 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.4%.

1881 census count

457

Ranked #7,240

Modern count

541

2016, ranked #9,407

Peak year

1911

707 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Privett had 457 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,240 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 541 in 2016, ranked #9,407.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 707 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Privett surname distribution map

The map shows where the Privett surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Privett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Privett over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 306 #7,524
1861 historical 225 #10,843
1881 historical 457 #7,240
1891 historical 444 #8,149
1901 historical 599 #7,081
1911 historical 707 #6,025
1997 modern 642 #7,729
1998 modern 655 #7,854
1999 modern 648 #7,966
2000 modern 634 #8,086
2001 modern 624 #8,038
2002 modern 645 #7,998
2003 modern 629 #8,020
2004 modern 615 #8,203
2005 modern 600 #8,274
2006 modern 592 #8,368
2007 modern 596 #8,397
2008 modern 584 #8,591
2009 modern 596 #8,640
2010 modern 609 #8,686
2011 modern 605 #8,639
2012 modern 554 #9,115
2013 modern 560 #9,196
2014 modern 562 #9,226
2015 modern 546 #9,370
2016 modern 541 #9,407

Geography

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Where Privetts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Kingston-on-Thames, Cheltenham and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Fareham, Bolsover, East Hampshire and Basingstoke and Deane. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 1
2 Kingston-on-Thames Surrey
3 London parishes London 3
4 Cheltenham Gloucestershire
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Fareham 003 Fareham
2 Bolsover 003 Bolsover
3 East Hampshire 009 East Hampshire
4 Basingstoke and Deane 020 Basingstoke and Deane
5 East Hampshire 016 East Hampshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Privett

These lists show first names that appear often with the Privett surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Privett

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Privett, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Privett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Privett household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Privett is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Privett is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Privett falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Privett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Privett, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Privett

The surname Privett is believed to have originated in England during the late medieval period, likely derived from the Old English words "privet" or "pryvet," which referred to the evergreen shrub known as privet. This surname may have initially been given as a descriptive nickname to someone who lived near a privet hedge or who worked with privet plants.

The earliest recorded instance of the Privett surname dates back to the 13th century, with references appearing in various historical documents from that time. One notable mention is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296, which lists a Thomas Pryvet among the taxpayers.

In the 14th century, the Privett surname continued to appear in records across various regions of England. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which documented landowners and their holdings, mention a John Pryvet in Bedfordshire. Similarly, the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire from 1349 record a Adam Privett among the tenants.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Privett surname became more widespread, with several notable individuals bearing the name. In 1462, a William Privett was recorded as a merchant in the city of London. Additionally, the Parish Registers of Wiltshire from the 16th century mention a Thomas Privett, born in 1584, who was a prominent landowner in the area.

The 17th century saw the rise of several notable figures with the Privett surname. One such individual was John Privett (1620-1679), a renowned architect and surveyor who contributed to the rebuilding efforts in London following the Great Fire of 1666. Another prominent figure was William Privett (1638-1712), a scholar and clergyman who served as the Vicar of St. Mary's Church in Warwickshire.

In the 18th century, the Privett surname continued to be associated with various professions and trades. For instance, Samuel Privett (1721-1793) was a respected blacksmith and metalworker in the town of Shrewsbury, while James Privett (1754-1832) was a successful merchant and trader based in Bristol.

Notably, the Privett surname has also been linked to several place names throughout England. For example, the village of Privett in Hampshire is believed to have derived its name from the surname, suggesting that the Privett family may have once held land or resided in that area.

Throughout history, the Privett surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Privitt, Privit, Pryvett, and Pryvet, among others. These variations often reflect regional dialects and the inconsistencies in record-keeping during earlier periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Privett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Privett surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Hampshire leads with 191 Privetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.63x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 191 20.63x
Surrey 99 4.50x
Sussex 34 4.47x
Middlesex 27 0.60x
Gloucestershire 26 2.94x
Kent 21 1.36x
Essex 17 1.91x
Hertfordshire 10 3.21x
Lancashire 7 0.13x
Royal Navy 6 11.15x
Cambridgeshire 5 1.75x
Herefordshire 4 2.16x
Berkshire 3 0.88x
Devon 3 0.32x
Suffolk 3 0.55x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.73x
Oxfordshire 2 0.72x
Warwickshire 1 0.09x
Wiltshire 1 0.25x
Yorkshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 37 Privetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.39x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 37 20.39x
Alverstoke 17 50.73x
Croydon 17 13.92x
Newington 13 7.79x
Ropley 13 962.96x
Bishops Waltham 12 310.88x
South Stoneham 12 59.76x
Beckenham 10 49.65x
Droxford 10 283.29x
West Ham 10 5.08x
Brighton 9 5.86x
Hawling 9 3750.00x
Ringwood 9 152.03x
Burstow 8 427.81x
Cheltenham 8 11.71x
Wickham 8 470.59x
East Clandon 7 1627.91x
Fareham 7 62.89x
Kingston On Thames 7 13.24x
Millbrook 7 30.02x
Penge 7 24.26x
Southampton St Mary 7 12.03x
St Marylebone London 7 2.90x
Balcombe 6 441.18x
Barking 6 23.00x
Bishop Stortford 6 57.69x
Botley 6 359.28x
Limpsfield 6 285.71x
Mattingley 6 759.49x
Royal Navy 6 13.04x
St John Winchester 6 309.28x
Guildford Holy Trinity 5 119.33x
Kensington London 5 1.99x
Lewisham 5 6.08x
New Alresford 5 208.33x
St Andrewthe Less 5 15.30x
Warrington 5 7.87x
Battersea 4 2.41x
Chawton 4 547.95x
Deptford St Paul 4 3.37x
Eastbourne 4 11.42x
Madley 4 307.69x
Putney 4 19.44x
Reigate Foreign 4 16.79x
Westhampnett 4 493.83x
Berkhampstead 3 42.86x
Bishops Sutton 3 454.55x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 3.60x
Camberwell 3 1.04x
Chelsea London 3 2.20x
Clapham 3 5.31x
Gorleston 3 21.46x
Islington London 3 0.69x
Petersfield 3 117.65x
Southampton All Sts 3 18.89x
Walton On Hill 3 312.50x
Westminster St 3 18.02x
Epsom 2 18.66x
Hackney London 2 0.79x
Hartley Wintney 2 71.94x
Liss 2 106.38x
Newtown Nr Newbury 2 571.43x
Oving 2 77.82x
Paddington London 2 1.20x
Padiham 2 15.44x
Richmond 2 6.49x
Stoke Damerel 2 3.04x
Subdeanery 2 34.60x
Tetsworth 2 303.03x
West Meon 2 161.29x
Westbourne 2 52.77x
Windrush 2 555.56x
Clifton Reynes 1 303.03x
Erith 1 6.59x
Hammersmith London 1 0.90x
Margate St John Baptist 1 3.54x
Northwood 1 7.59x
Old Alresford 1 131.58x
Shalford 1 40.98x
Wendover 1 34.01x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Privett surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Privett surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 38
George 28
James 18
Thomas 16
Charles 15
Henry 14
John 11
Edward 10
Arthur 8
Harry 7
Alfred 6
Albert 5
Ernest 4
Frederick 4
Joseph 4
Peter 4
Walter 4
Frank 3
Andrew 2
Chas. 2
Francis 2
Herbert 2
Percy 2
Robert 2
Tom 2
Arnold 1
Aubrey 1
Benjamin 1
Charley 1
Claude 1
Clement 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Ebenezer 1
Eli 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Horace 1
Jasper 1
Jonathan 1
Lewine 1
Morgan 1
Nicholas 1
Ralph 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1
Thos.H. 1
W.R. 1
Wynne 1

FAQ

Privett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Privett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 457 people were recorded with the Privett surname. That placed it at #7,240 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Privett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 541 in 2016. That gives Privett a modern rank of #9,407.

What does the Privett surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "the priest's land," or from the Old English for "private land."

What does the Privett map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Privett bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.